Former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis will be an intrigued observer when legends Mike Tyson and Roy Jones engage in their high profile eight-round exhibition at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this Saturday.
Tyson, 54, hasn’t fought since an eye-rubbing defeat to Irishman Kevin McBride in 2005 whilst Jones, 51, was last in the ring in 2018, but their veterans clash has caught the imagination and led to a surge in pay-per-view sales.
Lewis, who KOed Tyson in eight rounds back in June 2002, is certainly surprised to see his old foe in the ring again.
“I think it’s an interesting fight. They’re doing it for charity – that’s a good thing. I didn’t feel like we’d ever see Mike Tyson back in the ring. I thought he was very happy doing his other businesses around the world, being a movie star,” Lewis told BT Sport.
“Everybody loves Mike Tyson. Everybody loves Roy Jones. They just want to see them in the ring again. It’s not a bad thing. At this age, I actually think it’s good that [Tyson] can push himself to step back into the ring.”
Lewis is interested to see if enough of Jones’ once vaunted speed remains to trump Tyson’s celebrated heavy hands.
“You have to remember how Roy Jones is. Roy Jones is one of the quickest fighters out there. He moves around the ring. He’s not going to be an easy target,” said Lewis.
“This type of fight he’s not looking to get hit. And I’m sure it’s going to be a big ring so until Mike Tyson catches up with him, if he can catch up with him, we’re going to see a good fight.”